Chelsea Fans Angrily React to Roberto Di Matteo Sacking

Featuring Alan Pardew and Olly Murs.

November 21st, 2012Paul Tamburro

Is your schedule relatively empty over the next month? If so, you should consider applying for the job as Chelsea manager. It's high-paying and you wouldn't have to stay there for very long, given club owner Roman Abramovic's The Apprentice-like way of doing business with the managers he hires. This morning it was Roberto Di Matteo he was saying "you're fired!" across the boardroom to, with the Blues' latest boss being given his marching orders after a few bad results.

Di Matteo took over management duties of the club following Abramovic's axing of Andre Villas-Boas last year, instantly making history with the club by propelling them to their first Champions League victory. Chelsea's season in the Premier League has also been relatively successful thus far, with them currently being placed just four points behind leaders Manchester City, sitting third in the table overall.

But it appears as though the 3-0 defeat to Juventus in their Champions League group match last night is what has caused Abramovic to make the seemingly kneejerk decision to fire Di Matteo, with the club releasing the following statement: “The team’s recent performances and results have not been good enough.

“The owner and the board felt that a change was necessary now to keep the club moving in the right direction as we head into a vitally important part of the season. The club faces a difficult task ahead in qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League as well as maintaining a strong challenge for the top of the Premier League while competing in three other cup competitions. Our aim is to remain as competitive as possible and challenge strongly on all fronts.

"The owner and the board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March. Roberto helped guide us to an historic Champions League victory and a seventh FA Cup. We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club’s history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge.

“The club will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager.”

The reaction to this decision has been overwhelmingly negative, with fans taking to Twitter to express their thoughts on Abramovic's latest controversial decision as club owner. "In amongst all the fury about Di Matteo's sacking, I hope you've all taken the time to laugh at Chelsea" writes Nick Price. "If you had Di Matteo's record on Football Manager and were sacked, you'd report a bug in the game", concurs Minnie McGee, providing an interesting take on how careers should work in the future. Even giant-faced pop singer Olly Murs wagged a finger of disapproval in Abramovic's direction, tweeting: "How Chelsea FC is run is a ridiculous! not a chelsea fan but Di-Matteo is building his own team! Give him a chance! Won CL last year!"

However, it's not just Twitterer…ers who are outraged, with Newcastle boss Alan Pardew saying: “The shock that should be there from the fans and media should say something to the owner of that club. I think it’s the ninth manager there in so many years and it’s just not fair.

“[Di Matteo] has done absolutely nothing wrong. The philosophy was to change the look of the team, which he has tried to do, but that doesn’t happen overnight."